Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 11.09.09 @ 7:30 p.m. & Monday » 11.23.09 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the October Council meeting included:
- decision to send out bids for the 2009-10 snow plowing contract.
Town Council Accepts Generous Donation
At the October 12 Town Council meeting, the Council unanimously accepted a $50,000 donation from an anonymous donor. The donor specified that the first use of the donation should be to defray the cost of litigation for the LOS field. The terms of the donation do not require that the Town continue the lawsuit, or drop the lawsuit. There is a clause in the donation paperwork that specifies “in the event the lawsuit is resolved, settled, dismissed, or terminated…”, the Town may use any remaining balance toward capital expenditures, or other Town projects as approved by the donor (paraphrased). The donation is much appreciated in these difficult economic times.
Casey 6 & 7 Update
On October 27, Montgomery County Department of General Services held a public hearing to present the third round of revisions to their plans for Casey 6 and Casey 7. Town residents attended the hearing and provided comments upon viewing the latest plans. While many of the suggestions are much improved from previous iterations of the plan, there still are sticking points. According to those in attendance who offered comments, major roadblocks include:
- The Mayor made it clear that the Town stands by its opposition to the purchase of the 5 acre lot from Robert’s Oxygen. This will come to a vote of the County Council in the next month or so and the Mayor and members of the Town Council have met individually with County Council members to voice our opposition.
- The Town still objects to the use of heavy industrial in an area that is zoned by the County for Technology Office Park. It has been noted before that the County does not have to abide by their zoning, although this is very poor public policy.
- There still are concerns about the fueling stations, although in the latest proposal these have been moved further from the Town. The Town’s position will remain that this is an inappropriate use for Casey 6.
- The alignment of Crabbs Branch at its connection with Amity is being avoided in the latest proposal. By avoiding that fight, the County is putting off the decision on the alignment. This could be positive or negative for the Town depending on what happens in the future.
Because much of the next steps will involve the political equation, the Town will continue to work on that side to see if the placement of the County Highway Services Facilities can be moved from Casey 6, or if we can have our concerns addressed.
One positive aspect of the new proposal is the placement of the salt barns backed up against the 50-foot treed buffer between Casey 6 and Brown Street. Although not accepted by all residents of Brown Street, the barns will block all sight, sound, and light from Roberts Oxygen, at least on the lower half of the street. Another positive is that they have moved the noisy operations on the other side of Casey 6 near the railroad tracks, and the entrance to Casey 6 is considerably further away from the end of Brown Street. Possibly the best feature, however, is the creation of a cut-through road from what will remain of Roberts Oxygen to the entrance for Casey 6; this will eliminate access from Roberts to Railroad Street.
Next steps have not been defined. The Town will continue to work the political side while the County continues to refine their proposal. Notice of the next steps will be announced as they are known.
LOS Lawsuit Update
Toll Brothers has filed the plats for Phase 1 of their development adjacent to lower Ridge Road. As part of the filing of the plats, Toll is transferring ownership of the LOS field to Park and Planning, as well as a quitclaim deed, which will mean Toll no longer has an interest in the LOS. Because this will not occur until November 5, much is still in the air and not enough is known about what the deed will say regarding protection of the LOS field. Regular updates will be given at the next Town Council meetings (November 9 and 23).
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 11.04.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Building Permits
If you are going to erect a building or structure (including fences), make structural alterations to, or move any existing building or other structure, you must first obtain a building permit from the Washington Grove Planning Commission. The Town zoning ordinance governs setbacks, lot coverage and height. Applications are available at the Town Office at 301-926-2256. The permit fee for a major building permit (addition/renovation) is $40.00. The fee for a minor building permit (fence/shed) is $10.00. Checks should be made payable to the Town of Washington Grove. Interior renovations, which involve electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes, generally require a County permit. A shed requires a County permit as well. The Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.
Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Scheduled
Date: November 28, 2009
Time: 11:00 AM
Place: McCathran Hall Council Chambers
Pursuant to Article VII, Section 12.2 of the Washington Grove Zoning Ordinance, a public hearing will be held to determine if a variance from the setback requirements established under Article VII, Section 9 (Schedule of Standards) should be granted to allow construction to continue at 344 Ridge Road. The Board may grant the variance if the Board finds on the basis of evidence admitted into the record that the variance request meets the requirements of Section 12.2 of the Zoning Ordinance.
The Board will take written and oral testimony from the applicant, residents or other interested parties at the public hearing. The Board will render its decision as soon thereafter as practical.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 11.17.09 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public. The HPC encourages residents to come for an early consultation when planning a renovation.
Joint HPC/PC Work Session
December 9, 2009; 7:30 pm; Council Room
This hearty group continues to struggle with the challenges of “mansionization”. Observers are welcome!
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 01.20.10 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
A MOUSE IN THE HOUSE #2
Mousetrap Concert No. 2; November 22, 2009; 3:00 p.m. in McCathran Hall
“Isn’t It Romantic?”
Come hear romantic art songs, arias and duets from the 19th century through today performed by Amy Cofield and Scott Williamson. For more information, please call Ann Briggs (301-926-6347) or Alice Negin (301-926-2858.
Mark Your Calendars – Holiday Revels
This year’s Holiday Revels performance will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 7:30 p.m..
Don’t miss it!
Washington Grove Drawing Group Continues
We’ve Gestured madly, Contoured blindly, and gone Positively wild about Negative Space…We’ve gotten Graphic with Graphite and Divine with vine charcoal, and we all know now whether “2B or not 2B”… Don’t let inexperience stop you from joining!
In upcoming sessions we’ll also explore new skills like modeling with light and dark to depict volume; perspective and foreshortening; composition; and human anatomy. Several classes will feature figure drawing from the model.
Classes are held Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm in Town Hall and are taught by Carolyn Reece-Tomlin and Marida Hines. The current session started October 28 and will finish on December 9th. The third session will run from January 6 through February 10. Cost is $150 for a 6-week session. For more information, please contact Carolyn [email protected], 301-869-5854 or Marida 301-519-8730 [email protected]. We’d love to see you there!
Rare Species of Shutterbug Spotted in Grove
There are few opportunities to spot them, but they do exist–and we in the Grove are lucky enough to be hosting several in the coming weeks. What are we talking about? That rarely-sighted, and possibly endangered species, the Unbiased Expert Opinion.
Starting in mid-November, local digital media experts will be in Town offering unbiased, personal, hands-on instruction on how to take, retouch, and print great photos. We’ll be offering six 2-1/2 hr workshops (7-9:30 p.m.) in November and December at Town Hall. The cost is $40.00 per class.
Buying and Using a Digital Camera
Nov. 19th
What to look for, what all those technical specifications mean, what REALLY matters vs. what they try to sell you. The most popular models reviewed. Co-Instructor: DeeNice Rhodes, President, The Digital Dynamo.
Getting Great Home Color Prints
Nov. 30th
What to look for in a color printer; what REALLY matters vs. what they try to sell you; settings for printing documents, photos, and art. Practical demos. Bring problem printouts to be diagnosed and solutions offered. Co-Instructors: DeeNice Rhodes, President, The Digital Dynamo.
Taking Great Photos: The Mechanics of Photography
Dec. 10th
Mechanics of popular point-and-shoot cameras and digital SLRs. Hands-on instruction with individual questions/issues answered. Bring your camera. Co-Instructor: Michael Stewart, former Vice President, Stewart Brothers Photography.
Making Great Photos: The Art of Photography
Dec. 14th
Composition; capturing human emotions; combining flash with available light, etc. Hands-on instruction with individual questions/issues answered. Bring your camera. Co-Instructor: Michael Stewart, former Vice President, Stewart Brothers Photography.
Photo Retouching with Popular Photo Editors
Jan. 4, 2010
Removing red eye, improving contrast, correcting color shifts, and sharpening images in popular image editing programs like Picasa, GIMP and PhotoShop. Hands-on instruction. Bring a laptop or request one be provided. Instructor: Marida Hines.
Digital Art and Illustration
Jan. 14, 2010
Using Photoshop to create photomontages and original art. Importing, combining, and masking multiple images; applying special effects, and techniques for creating original digital art. Hands-on instruction. Bring a laptop or request one be provided. Instructor: Marida Hines.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday » 11.19.09 @ 7:30 p.m. in Clubhouse.
The program is, “Thinking Inside and Outside Your Holiday Wreath.” Carolyn Picardi, Holiday Decorator Extraordinaire will create holiday wreaths for the front door and the kitchen door and more. Her creative ideas and tips are a great source of inspiration. All are invited to attend. For questions please contact Joli McCathran at 301-869-5358 or via e-mail at [email protected].
WGUMC News
- November 1st, “All Saints” Can Help the Needy– Canned and Dried Food Drive for Gaithersburg Help. Please place your donation curbside in a bag by 9:30 am. If we don’t get to you, a wagon will stay in front of the church for additional donations.
- Play group meets downstairs in the church on the first (11/4) and third (11/18) Wednesdays of the month, 9:30 am, so parents and grandparents can talk, and kids can play.
- 11/11 The Easy Movement Yoga Class– especially for folks with back or joint issues, meets from 2:00 3:00 p.m.
- 11/15 Sunday, 11 am–Brenda Gumula will sing at our 99th anniversary worship service!
- 11/25 Wednesday, 7:30 pm–The 4th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service welcomes people of all faith traditions, with a variety of music, slides of beautiful trees (this year’s theme is thanksgiving for forests), and as always the reading of President Lincoln’s Thanksgiving proclamation.
Bulk Trash Pick Up Scheduled
A bulk trash pickup is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2009. Collection may include furniture, appliances (nothing with freon like air conditioning units), rugs, large toys, small auto
parts, etc. Materials may NOT include construction by-products, large automotive parts, or tires. Items should not contain gasoline or motor oil. Please place all items “curbside” by 7:00 a.m.
Thanks for a Happy Halloween
A big thank you to Emily Cavey and her helpers for a perfect Halloween parade and party. The weather was beautiful, the treats were sweet, and the story was s-c-a-r-e-y, in a sticky, smelly way. A good time was had by all the little ghouls, goblins and princesses!
Leaves Are Falling
New and long-time residents alike are reminded of the Town contract for the removal of leaves in bulk each autumn. US Lawns will make regular but unscheduled pickups of leaves raked or blown into windrows within six feet of any walkway or roadway, excluding Railroad Street, 2nd Ave., 3rd Ave., 4th Ave., 5th Ave., and Boundary Street. This service begins November 1 and ends January 1, 2010, or as soon thereafter as we agree that the work is complete. This is your opportunity to have leaves removed without the additional work and expense of bagging.
Weather frequently affects this process, as rain can restrict movement of large trucks on the avenues. Also, one or two spectacular fall weekends in November or early December usually see most of us raking at the same time. As the contractor will time pickups based on the availability of full truckloads for vacuuming, if you rake when most other people rake the windrows will probably disappear relatively quickly. If you feel that a particular pile has been ignored for an inordinate amount of time, please call Charlie Challstrom at 301-926-4498 or e-mail him at [email protected]
Please place your windrows with an eye towards traffic visibility and flow, and don’t include brush or limbs that foul the vacuum. Happy raking! It’s the rite of autumn, particularly in a town graced by so many beautiful deciduous trees.
Tuned In: Montgomery County’s Place in Musical History
An Exhibit at the Beall-Dawson House, Presented by the Montgomery County Historical Society
October 24th, 2009 – April 3rd, 2010
This exhibit examines the importance of music in the everyday life in Montgomery County, from the 19th century through the present day. The exhibit features artifacts and documents loaned by the Browningsville Cornet Band, the Rockville High School Pipe Band, and the Town of Washington Grove.
The Beall-Dawson House
- 103 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville MD, 20850
- Open Tuesday-Sunday 12-4
- Admission $5 (seniors/students $3)
Talkin’ Trash
Per our contract, November 27th will be the last date for collection of your recyclable yard waste. This service will resume in early March. Town Maintenance will continue to collect your reasonably sized brush piles.
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Holiday Trash Schedule
Trash & recycling pickup scheduled for Thanksgiving Day will occur on Fri. Nov. 27th.
Want to advocate for a new Up-County Hospital?
Write Marilyn Moon at the Maryland Healthcare Commission; 4160 Patterson Ave.; Baltimore, MD 21215